The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player - Chapter 216

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Maxed-Out Player’s 100th Return – Episode 216
216. Information Sharing
[Hero’s Rune]
-Effect: Every time you save another person, you gain 1 stack (maximum 100).
All stats increase by the number of stacks accumulated. Conversely, if stacks decrease, the stat increase also diminishes.
By consuming 100 stacks, you can cast ‘Hero’s Protection’ on one target you wish to safeguard.
While Hero’s Protection is active, the caster can use ‘Hero’s Touch’.
└ Hero’s Protection ▶ Activates the moment you’re attacked, providing an absolute barrier that blocks any attack for 10 seconds.
Once cast, it persists indefinitely until it activates.
It can only be applied to one target and cannot be used on yourself.
If you accumulate stacks again and apply it to a different target, the previous target’s protection is removed.
└ Hero’s Touch ▶ You can move to the location of the target with Hero’s Protection or summon them to you.
It can only be used for 10 seconds immediately after Hero’s Protection activates.
‘Finally, I have it. The Hero’s Rune.’
One of the eighteen essential runes on my list, this rune proves invaluable when protecting a specific target.
‘When the target is attacked, they become invincible for 10 seconds, and during that time I can use Hero’s Touch to either move to their location or summon them to me.’
For example, if I apply this skill to my Younger Brother, he becomes invincible for 10 seconds whenever someone attacks him.
At that moment, a notification appears to me with two options available.
I can use Hero’s Touch to summon my Younger Brother to me, or I can move to his location.
‘It’s truly a skill optimized for protecting my Younger Brother.’
Additionally, accumulating stacks increases all my stats, which wasn’t bad at all.
Since stats only increase when stacks are present, I had to view it as more of a buff.
‘Still, gaining 100 all stats is nothing to scoff at. This rune is definitely worth obtaining on its own.’
The condition was that I needed to save 100 people in crisis, but there was nothing to worry about.
Weren’t there so many people gathered right here?
‘I can use a loophole just like when I acquired the rune.’
If I summon the Demon again and kill it, the people will be recognized as saved.
‘The problem is that people I’ve already saved don’t count again.’
Since I’d already used up 100 people’s worth, I needed new people to fill the remaining quota.
Fortunately, when all procedures were complete, the number of believers exceeded 100 and reached 170.
This was a mix of Player Cafe members and non-member players.
Considering there were 175 Korean players total, it was practically everyone who had joined.
‘Better than expected. I didn’t think so many would gather.’
Still, I’d spent 1.7 million points, but it wasn’t wasteful.
Considering how easily I could now rally players, it was actually a bargain.
‘It would’ve been better if I’d reached 200, but opportunities don’t come just once.’
Believing that everyone who would come had arrived, I executed my plan.
“Cult Leader.”
Heo Tae-sik, receiving my signal, nods once more.
Since I’d already given him a heads-up, he knew it was time to summon the second Demon species.
Heo Tae-sik passed through the crowd and quietly planted a seed in the ground.
Poof—
Planting the black seed wasn’t difficult.
He simply used his skill, and the black object seeped into the ground like liquid.
Heo Tae-sik gave Ryu Min a slight nod.
It meant the second summoning was ready.
Ryu Min, watching the timing, adjusted his mask and sent the signal.
Then suddenly—a stem as thick as a tree shot upward.
“Kiiiiieeeeeee!”
Since it was a random summoning, there was no way to know which demon would appear.
But even Ryu Min couldn’t help but be shocked this time.
‘That’s a Requiem—one of the highest-ranking demon species?’
At the sudden appearance of a second demon species, the players fell into chaos once more.
But it was short-lived.
Crack—!
As Ryu Min’s scythe shattered its head, the situation ended immediately.
“Despite my warning, you summon a demon again. It seems my words mean nothing to you.”
Ryu Min spoke as if enraged at an imaginary enemy, but the face hidden beneath his mask was utterly serene.
He was actually smiling at the message that appeared before his eyes.
[Hero’s Rune Stack: 70/100]
[All stats increase by 70 through the Hero’s Rune effect.]
‘Good. Now I just need to stack 30 more.’
Once I reach 100 stacks, I can protect my younger brother with the Hero’s Protection.
There was no rush, so accumulating them steadily would pose no problem.
‘That takes care of my business here.’
No, actually there was one more thing left.
Information to share with the 170 believers gathered in this place.
Specifically, the strategy for the next round.
‘I can’t just look after those close to me anymore. I need to help as many people as possible.’
Thinking of the coming Round 16, it was better for as many players as possible to survive.
Though there was no reason to help the wicked.
‘I examined their true intentions one by one, and there was no one with character flaws. Sharing the strategy shouldn’t cause any problems.’
Of course, I had no intention of revealing the existence of The Seer.
I could simply say the next round’s information came from a special reward selection box.
“Shortly, there will be speeches from the cult leader and Black Scythe. Those who have completed registration, please proceed inside.”
Following Um Jun-seok’s guidance, people entered the building.
Once everyone was seated in the massive chapel that could accommodate 700 people, Heo Tae-sik ascended the podium.
“Welcome, believers. I am No Poe-in No-ge-i, the cult leader of the Death God Cult. My real name is Heo Tae-sik. I’m grateful that so many of you have come, and….”
Heo Tae-sik began his speech.
It was nothing special—just simple greetings.
There was someone else meant to deliver the important message.
“…That concludes what I have to say. Thank you. Now, Black Scythe has a word for all of you, as you’ve been waiting.”
Ryu Min climbed onto the podium, still wearing his mask, and surveyed the surroundings.
One hundred and seventy believers stared at him intently.
“Greetings. As you know, I am Black Scythe. I hope you understand that I cannot reveal my face or true name due to circumstances.”
The believers nodded.
While they were curious about Black Scythe’s identity, it wasn’t crucial at the moment.
What mattered more was the information he was about to share.
“I’ve gathered you here to impart vital information—classified intelligence that must not be disclosed elsewhere.”
“Classified?”
Ryu Min’s shocking declaration cut through the murmuring crowd.
“I possess knowledge of the next round. I intend to share it with you all here and now.”
The murmurs ceased abruptly, as though cold water had been poured over the assembly.
No one had ever imagined it possible to know the next round in advance.
“You’re likely wondering about the source of this information—it’s simple. Achieving first place across All Districts grants a special reward selection box. From that reward, one can choose information about the next round, allowing me to clear subsequent rounds with ease. I’ve often selected that reward.”
Among the astonished believers was Min Ju-ri.
‘Ah… So that’s why Black Scythe cleared rounds so effortlessly.’
She had always thought his insight was extraordinary, but now it made sense.
“I reveal this now because I can no longer stand idle while players dwindle. This is why I share Round 13’s information with you—so we may all survive together.”
To sacrifice personal rewards for the greater cause of survival and willingly share information—it was magnanimous.
“Ah….”
“Black Scythe….”
The believers were moved to tears by such nobility.
Some even clasped their hands together, as if newfound faith had awakened within them.
Behind his mask, Ryu Min smiled deeply.
‘Survive as many as possible for Round 16.’
His lips slowly began to unveil the strategy.
* * *
[Sariel has not returned. We presume him dead.]
Some angels sighed at the thunderbolt of news, while others scoffed.
[Hmph, I suspected as much. If the seventh-ranked fell, it’s hardly strange the sixth-ranked would too.]
Raguel, the fifth-ranked and Archangel of Justice, wore a contemptuous smile.
She had been displeased from the start that the sixth-ranked was sent instead of herself.
[What was Michael thinking, judging that one alone would suffice….]
[Raguel. Are you slandering the Archangel of Archangels in his absence?]
Gabriel issued a stern warning, and Raguel pouted.
[It’s not wrong, is it? Sending the sixth-ranked was reckless, and now we’re reduced to five Archangels. This is clearly a misjudgment.]
[Try saying that before Michael. Let’s see if you don’t end up in the Insect Prison.]
[….]
The Insect Prison was the Heavenly Realm’s punishment—confinement in a solitary cell teeming with vermin.
Raguel, who was particularly fastidious about propriety, had no choice but to hold her tongue.
[Do not complain so. Michael’s judgment was not mistaken. Sariel alone was a sufficient match. The darkness of a Death God class and the darkness of an Archangel are in different leagues.]
[But why did it come to this?]
[I do not know either.]
[There are things that Gabriel, who bears the title of Prophecy and Revelation, does not know?]
[This title was attached to me simply because my body is composed of matter well-suited to conveying God’s word. I am merely a shell—a medium used to transmit the divine message.]
Even at Gabriel’s words, Raguel’s frown did not ease.
Either way, the fact remained that they had failed to capture Black Scythe.
[Your expression suggests you are displeased with this situation.]
[To be honest, I am. Had I stepped forward, I could have ended this decisively.]
[That is uncertain. The result might have been the same even if you had intervened.]
At the casual provocation, Raguel bristled.
[Gabriel. Are you truly placing me on the same level as those ranked sixth and seventh….]
[Mind your words. Do not speak of them so.]
At the solemn voice, I turned to see an Archangel appearing bathed in radiant light.
It was Michael, unquestionably first in rank.
[What kind of Archangel demeans comrades who fell gloriously in battle as mere rabble?]
[I-I apologize.]
Raguel immediately bowed her head at the dignified tone, unaware of the truth.
The very architect of the Angels’ destruction stood before her eyes.
[I acknowledge that Sariel’s death was unexpected. It was my miscalculation.]
[No, sir. Your judgment was sound. It is simply that this human called Black Scythe proved far stronger than anticipated.]
[Indeed. I did not foresee Sariel’s demise either.]
It was no mere courtesy—it was the truth.
I had sent Sariel believing he would be weaker than Raguel, yet even so, he was the natural predator of Death Gods, so I had harbored concerns.
Whether Black Scythe would be dragged to the Heavenly Realm and stripped of his Player status.
Whether my own aspiration to become a god would be indefinitely postponed.
‘But it seems my worries were unfounded.’
Michael, who had already entered the Akashic Record and obtained information from Rubahi, knew better.
‘He did not sustain even the slightest wound against Sariel, you say?’
Thus, despite his grave expression, Michael could take comfort.
For he now believed that Black Scythe could prevail even against the next Archangel.
[It seems it is Raguel’s turn to step forward.]
[Truly? Michael? You are giving me this opportunity?]
[Yes. You shall carry out the sentence. As I said, bring him alive. Can you do it?]
[Of course! Leave it to me! I shall certainly drag that wretched insect here and….]
[That will not do.]
At the interjection, both Angels turned their heads.
It was Gabriel who had voiced the objection.
[Raguel is strong, this is true, but sending her alone is also dangerous. I believe it would be best if she went with Uriel, who ranks fourth.]
[No, Michael! I’m more than capable of handling this alone!]
[I agree. I think it would be better to send Uriel as well.]
Even Raphael, ranked third, had weighed in, leaving Michael with no choice but to deliberate.
‘Send the fourth and fifth ranked together? That’s a bit….’
If it were only Raguel, Michael believed Black Scythe could emerge victorious.
But the moment he considered that Uriel, the Archangel of light and flame, would join them, doubt crept in.
‘Can Black Scythe truly overcome both of them?’
Michael shook his head inwardly.
Even having dispatched Sariel without a scratch, facing two might prove beyond his capabilities.
In terms of combat prowess and numbers alike, they operated on an entirely different level than Sariel.
[Michael, please make your decision.]
Pressed by Gabriel’s urging, Michael found himself unable to refuse.
There was no justification for sending only Raguel.
[Rather than repeat the same mistake, it would be better to send both and end this decisively.]
Michael muttered his acceptance, then spoke again in a solemn voice.
[Uriel and Raguel, listen well. Bring Black Scythe back from Round 13 without fail.]
[Understood, Michael. Rest assured.]
[We’ll bring him back cleanly as ordered.]
The two angels responded with unwavering confidence.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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